Elephant dies at Dickerson Park Zoo

10:38 PM,
Oct. 5, 2013

Connie was at Dickerson Park Zoo for most of the careers of staff members there. News-Leader file photo

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News-Leader Staff

One of the elephants at the Dickerson Park Zoo has been euthanized, the zoo announced Saturday.

The female elephant, estimated to be 50 years old, had been suffering from kidney disease. Her weight had dropped from about 6,500 pounds to about 5,700 pounds. She became too weak to stand Friday afternoon.

"We have been fortunate through the years to celebrate Connie as we cared for her through pregnancies and birth," says Mike Crocker, assistant parks director for the zoo. "This is a difficult time for our staff. For most of our staff members, Connie has been at Dickerson Park Zoo for their entire ...